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Job Opportunities for Youth in Rural Areas by Haylee BennettJob Opportunities for Youth in Rural Areas by Haylee Bennett
Living in a rural area makes it difficult for youth to find work. There are not many job opportunities when living in Cherryville and other remote towns. Unless you have a reliable ride to and from town, where there are many job openings for younger people, then it is difficult to find work. With the lack of job availability in rural towns, youth are not able to gain work experience that is essential for their future. The Canada Summer Jobs Program helps create more job opportunities. They target work suitable for the youth population, and work to teach them about their rights as an employee. This has made a huge difference for the youth in our community, providing job openings suited for them.
This summer, myself (Haylee Benet) and Senay Thompson were employed with Cherryville Community Food & Resources. Having youth as part of the team brings new perspective and ideas to the organization. It is important for the next generation to gain proper work experience, and learn important skills needed to be in the workforce. Senay has been working with Renske in the community gardens since May. They have been cultivating the garden and have been able to supply an outstanding amount of produce for the food bank. Each week there is a large assortment of fresh produce to give out with hampers, cultivated by Senay and Renske.
In an interview I conducted with Senay, she expressed that she is very grateful for this job opportunity close to home. She feels she has gained important work experience for her future. Senay has learned how to apply for a job, and now feels confident for future job application processes. Communicating with her coworkers and boss has helped her build workplace communication skills she will continue to use throughout her life. Senay has had a wonderful summer maintaining the community gardens with Renske and is thankful for the experience in the workforce she has gained.
My name is Haylee Bennett, I just graduated and have had an amazing summer, learning workplace skills before heading into future careers. At Cherryville Community Food & Resources I have been helping with food hampers, social media, and the senior’s meal program. Every week I help Barb build and hand out food hampers, as well as keep the food bank clean and organized. I have also helped keep our social media up to date and have worked on various projects for our webpage throughout the summer. For the senior’s dinners, I help prepare and distribute the meals to seniors in our community. Towards the end of the summer, I started going to the Lake Country food bank to learn about food recovery. I have been going twice a week and have gotten to learn the processes involved in food recovery, which we hope to incorporate into our organization!
Overall, I have been able to gain a great deal of work experience with this job. I feel more confident in my communication skills, learning from involvement in the community and communicating with my coworkers and supervisors. Going through the job application process has prepared me for future careers and I now feel more confident than ever moving into the workforce. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Cherryville Community Food and Resources this summer, and I am very thankful for all the important skills I was able to practice for my future!
Hi, my name is Haylee Bennett! I am 18 and just graduated from Charles Bloom Secondary School this year. In the future I would like to become an RMT (registered massage therapist). I am currently working to save money for the course and hope to start next year. I enjoy volunteering in the community in my free time. I have helped at the seniors dinners, food bank, and programs run through the elementary school since I was in grade 4. I also enjoy baking and reading in my spare time, as well as going on hikes.
This position was funded by Canada Summer Jobs. If you are interested in employee or volunteer opportunities within our organization, please contact our office at 250-547-0089 for more information.
Summer Camp Positions Available!Summer Camp Positions Available!
Cherryville Summer Camp is a non-profit program being offered through Cherryville Community Food and Resources Society. We strive to support families and youth in Cherryville area by fostering a safe space for children to continue learning development throughout the summer months. Campers will have the opportunity to socialize with peers, build healthy and active routines and continue learning through games, crafts, science, free play and more!
We have two positions available, a Summer Camp Coordinator, as supported through Canada Summer Jobs, and a Summer Camp Helper offered solely by Cherryville Community Food & Resource Society. We are planning to run 6 unique week long camps, Monday-Thursdays throughout July and August in the Cherryville area. If you are interested in either position, please see below for more details.
Camp Coordinator Position Summary
The Summer Camp Coordinator will plan, coordinate, conduct, and supervise all recreational activities for youth during Cherryville Summer Camp. Camps will likely run Monday-Thursday for a total of 6 weeks throughout July and August 2025. The Camp Coordinator will spend time in June designing a course plan for the weeklong camps with the help of the Family and Youth Coordinator and CCFRS Staff. The first week will include orientation and job specific training such as First Aid training and WHMIS. Overall, the Camp Coordinator is responsible for the well being and safety of campers, as well as creating a fun and rewarding environment for them.
Education, Training, and Experience:
- Experience and/or training working with youth ages 5 through 12
- Cleared criminal record check for working with Vulnerable Populations
- Valid First Aid & CPR certificate *available through CCFRS if needed
- Must be between the ages of 18-30 years old
- Must be able to lift and support up to 50 pounds
Duties and Responsibilities for this Position Include:
- Plan and implement 6 unique week-long camps for Cherryville youth ages 6-12 (with support from CCFRS staff) throughout July and August
- Work collaboratively with the Camp Helper and support day-to-day activities
- Monitor and observe youth behavior to ensure safe environment is maintained
- Provide skill-building and social skills to youth where able
- Adhere to all program policies and procedures
- Understand emergency and safety protocols
- Ensure attendance checklists are completed daily and submitted to CCFRS staff on a weekly basis
- Help in the CCFRS office as needed
Hours:
This is a short-term summer position, consisting of 30 hours per week for 9 weeks starting June 16, 2025. Hourly rate will be $19.00/hour (including MERCS).
Please send resume to: cherryvilleyouth@hotmail.com or drop off your resume in person at CCFRS, Monday to Thursday – 8am to 3pm. Open until position is filled. Interviews to follow with a June start date.
Camp Helper Position Summary
The Summer Camp Helper will work under the direction of the Summer Camp Coordinator, providing support and assistance wherever needed. The Summer Camp Helper will be available during 6 unique week-longs camps throughout July and August and will role model, display and encourage the character traits of caring, responsibility, honesty, and respect in the fulfillment of all job duties.
Education, Training, and Experience:
- Experience and/or training working with youth ages 5 through 12
- Cleared criminal record check for working with Vulnerable Populations (if 18+)
- Valid First Aid & CPR certificate *available through CCFRS if needed
- Must be between the ages of 15-30 years old
- Must be able to lift and support up to 50 pounds
Duties and Responsibilities for this Position Include:
- Assist the Summer Camp Coordinator in weekly activities
- Monitor and observe youth behavior
- Provide skill-building and social skills to youth
- Model appropriate behavior
- Adhere to all program policies and procedures
- Understand emergency and safety protocols
- Ensure a fun safe environment for children
Hours:
This is a short-term summer position, consisting of 20 hours per week for 6 weeks beginning in July 2025. Hourly rate will be $17.85/hour (including MERCS).
Please send resume to: cherryvilleyouth@hotmail.com or drop off your resume in person at CCFRS, Monday to Thursday – 8am to 3pm. Open until position is filled. Interviews to follow with a Julys start date.
Cherryville Community Food and Resources Society
Physical location: 158 North Fork Road, Cherryville, BC V0E 2G3 Email: Cherryvilleyouth@hotmail.com Phone: 250-550-8902 Faxe: 250-547-0059
